Red, Yellow, Green

We have to eat fruits and vegetables, don’t we?! How many of us actually eat the recommended daily amounts of each? I recently read, “Eat to Live,” by Joel Fuhrman, M. D., who said we should eat at least four fresh fruits and unlimited raw vegetables daily because of their vital nutrients, enzymes, minerals, and fiber, etc., which aid in digestion and weight loss, lower cholesterol, and have disease-fighting qualities, to name a few motivating reasons.

Prior to having my lipids (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides) retested a few months ago, I was eating the recommended amounts of both fruits and vegetables. I was rewarded with lipid levels within normal ranges. Since then, I have to admit I’ve eaten less of these good little “fellows.” I’ve fallen off the produce wagon. I do love fruits, and I like raw vegetables—cooked vegetables…not as much.

I know I need to get back on course, especially because my weight has inched up a couple of pounds. You don’t suppose it’s because my exercise went the direction of the fruits and vegetables? The Fritos I snacked on late last night, after an evening meeting? Or, because I’ve nibbled on peanut M & M’s I bought a couple of days ago? Well…the M & M’s are the rights colors: red, yellow, green, orange, and blue…aren’t they?!

It’s time for a chat with my Self. I sat down in the recliner this morning, because the cat insisted I hold her a few minutes before she took her morning nap. I usually turn the TV on during this time and flip between the morning talk shows and national news. This morning a commercial for body shapers greeted me. In case you haven’t seen the commercial, XXXXXX body shaper is a “device” that readjusts and smooths out mid-section body bulges, so it appears one has lost several inches. It does seem to flatten these bulges; however, it appeared to me that the measurer didn’t remeasure the same part of body. One gal said she could eat more donuts now. This sends a scary message to viewers, on several levels—I’m sure you can imagine what those are. It’s time to change the way we think.

Change your habits. Tonight, see how many different colored fruits and vegetables you can stuff into a lunch “bag.” Here’s what I put in mine (an oblong, soft-sided and zippered container): a red-yellow apple, a banana, two kiwis, red grapes, two clementines, and a grapefruit; red and green pepper slices, baby carrots, broccoli, and romaine lettuce. Actually, I’ll keep the romaine lettuce separate as I plan on eating more than I can stuff in the bag, and I’ll use it and some of the veggies in my bag to make a salad.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll set the container on the kitchen counter and reach for a piece of fruit or vegetable throughout the day rather than the red, yellow, and green M & M’s, chips, or cookies that are so tempting.

P. S. I’m not a nutritionist or any other kind of health professional; I’ve always been interested in eating well and exercising, even though it doesn’t always happen. I know creating good habits will again take time and patience.

Now, off to the park for a walk and later to the gym for yoga. I’ll keep you posted on how I fare.

Edited by Two Twins.